Around ASA
by B.J. Frank ASA-New Jersey
ASA-New Jersey met with the state's Banking and Insurance Commissioner Elizabeth Randall in October 1996. During the meeting, ASA-New Jersey and the Garden State Automotive Federation presented the commissioner with a plaque for her leadership, particularly for her decision to withdraw the Insurance Department's managed care for collision repair proposal. Commissioner Randall expressed her views on many issues and commented on her relationship with ASA-New Jersey. "I want to compliment you on the way in which you have expressed your opinions to me as a commissioner. It's always been informative and very professional. I look forward to a continued relationship along those lines and want you to know that our door is open to all of the small-business owners out there," she said.CARQUEST Excellence Award
Steve Pokorny, president of Sun Auto Service Inc., in St. Louis, Mo., and E. Gale Marler, owner, were awarded the fifth annual CARQUEST Excellence Award for 1996. Pokorny accepted the award at a banquet in Huntington Beach, Calif., on Nov. 8, 1996. The excellence award recognizes a shop owner or manager for a commitment to the finest in service and repair excellence, while exemplifying the professionalism necessary to build public understanding and respect for the automotive service industry.For Pokorny, the key to success is never losing sight that the customer is "the business." According to Pokorny, "From our receptionist to our managers and technicians, a sincere attitude of caring and concern can be felt by those that touch this business." As the 1996 winner, Pokorny and Marler were awarded a $10,000 CARQUEST store credit, a free three-month subscription to CARQUEST Tech-Net and a place on the CARQUEST Technician Advisory Council for 1997.
Pokorny and Marler are very active in ASA. Pokorny serves as secretary of the ASA-St. Louis chapter, and is chairman of the chapter's scholarship fund, which he was instrumental in establishing. According to Roy Whinery, ASA-Missouri executive director, ASA-Missouri has had three members in the top 10 positions receive this award for the past three years.
ASA-Minnesota
Board and staff members of ASA-Minnesota have developed a strategic plan for the affiliate. The purpose of the plan is to identify areas that ASA-Minnesota should focus on over the next one to three years to continue to meet the needs of its members and the industry.In preparation, a significant effort was made to gather input from a number of sectors within the industry, including telephone surveys of members and non-members, focus group sessions with automotive educators and personal meetings with state legislators. Armed with this information, the ASA-Minnesota strategic planning team developed a mission statement, key strategic initiatives, and goals and strategies to fulfill the plan. Members of the planning team are Bob Fischer, AAM, Fischer Auto Service; Ron Lischeid, AAM, Vehicle Rental Center; Dale Feste, AAM, Dale Feste Automotive; Mike Huber, AAM, Hamline Auto Body; Dave Stevens, AAM, M & E Auto Repair; Karl Drotning, AAM, Crystal Lake Automotive; Mike Lund, AAM, Fairway Collision Center; Judell Anderson, ASA-Minnesota executive director; and Jodi Pilsbury, ASA-Minnesota office manager.
Member On TV
On Jan. 13, Barry Wilson, of Wilson Auto Repair and chapter president of ASA-Garland/ Mesquite/Sasche/Wylie, Texas, was on the morning news program on Channel 4, the local Fox affiliate. Wilson demonstrated how to properly jump-start a car. The segment was designed to take viewers' calls. However, due to icy weather in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, most calls requested business and school closings. Wilson used the ASA Public Relations Kit folder to show the ASA logo and the reporter gave ASA a good plug. Wilson is working with the show producer to schedule more appearances.National News
ASA members wishing to receive technical bulletins are encouraged to call toll-free (800) 272-7467, and request these bulletins according to their appropriate division. Members requesting the bulletins will be placed on a mailing list and the bulletins will be mailed quarterly. In the past, the bulletins were distributed through the monthly division newsletters.Lyle King, ASA vice president of membership, is a recent graduate of the Institutes for Organization Management. King completed all requirements after attending the program Jan. 19-24, at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Okla. Institute is a professional development program specifically designed to address the unique challenges facing chamber and association executives. Participants learn the latest techniques in membership retention, quality management, volunteer leadership development and non-dues revenue enhancement, among others. Prior to attending, enrollees receive reading assignments and must complete a home-study examination.
This Month's Reminder
Mark your calendars to attend the 1997 Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) to be held Sept. 24-27, at the Hyatt Regency in Dearborn, Mich. Program, registration and housing information will be mailed in the early summer.Next month, the Automotive Service Association (ASA) will distribute its 1996 Annual Report. Every member will receive a copy of the report.
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Studies Show Imitation Crash Parts Diminish Value Of Vehicles || A/C Service Trends || Welding Trends For The 21st Century || A Simple Retirement Plan For Your Business || Guest Editorial: In Pursuit Of The Ozone Red Zone || Tech To Tech || Tech Tips || News Briefs || Taking The Hill || Around ASA || Shop Profile || Net Worth || Chairman's Message
AutoInc. Magazine ®, Vol. XLV No. 3, March 1997